Convertible garments

ABSTRACT

A convertible garment is presented having an opening and a fabric insert. The opening can be releasably closed to cause the leg regions of the garment to tighten around the leg of a user. The garment may be configured for use in sports activities including bicycling and underwater diving.

BACKGROUND

Garments worn for many forms of exercise (e.g., running or bicycling)must fit tightly to the user's body to improve aerodynamics and preventchafing. Similarly, garments worn as a base layer beneath a wetsuit mustfit tightly to the user's body to prevent the garment from riding up asthe wetsuit is donned or as the user maneuvers underwater. Thesepurpose-built garments work well for their intended uses but are ofteninappropriate as general wear in terms of style and comfort when theuser is not actively engaged in sport. The customary solution to thisproblem is for the user to carry and change into a second garment whenthe activity is concluded, but this solution may not be practical orpossible in all cases.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A convertible garment is presented. The convertible garment includes asystem of fasteners and fabric inserts (e.g., godets, gores, gussets, orother fabric inserts of suitable size and shape) whereby the garment maytransform from loose-fitting to form-fitting. The convertible garmentmay be adapted for use in sports having an aerodynamic element or as abase layer under a wetsuit. The system of fasteners and fabric insertsmay include a variety of fastener types and fabric components.

In one embodiment a convertible garment includes a pelvic region forcovering the pelvic area of a wearer. The pelvic region defines awaistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The convertiblegarment also includes a first leg region extending outward from thepelvic region for covering at least a portion of a first leg of thewearer where the first leg region has a first terminal end opposite thewaistband. A first vertical opening is defined in the first leg regionand extends from the first terminal end toward the waistband along atleast a partial length of the first leg region. The first leg regionincludes a first fastener adapted to releasably close the first verticalopening. The convertible garment also includes a first fabric insertattached to the first leg region and positioned within the firstvertical opening. The convertible garment further includes a second legregion extending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least aportion of a second leg of the wearer where the second leg region has asecond terminal end opposite the waistband. A second vertical opening isdefined in the second leg region and extends from the second terminalend towards the waistband along at least a partial length of the secondleg region. The second leg region includes a second fastener adapted toreleasably close the second vertical opening. The convertible garmentalso includes a second fabric insert attached to the second leg regionand positioned within the second vertical opening.

In another embodiment a convertible garment includes a pelvic region forcovering a pelvic area of a wearer, the pelvic region defining awaistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The garment alsoincludes a first leg region extending outward from the pelvic region forcovering at least a portion of a first leg of the wearer and which has afirst terminal end opposite the waistband. The garment additionallyincludes a second leg region extending outward from the pelvic regionfor covering at least a portion of a second leg of the wearer, thesecond leg region having a second terminal end opposite the waistband.An opening is defined in the first and second leg regions that extendsbetween the first terminal end of the first leg region and the secondterminal end of the second leg region. A fastener is adapted toreleasably close the opening. A fabric insert is positioned within theopening and attached to the first leg region and the second leg region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of a convertible garmentworn by a wearer in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a front perspective view of the convertible garmentillustrated in FIG. 1A having fasteners in an open position according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front perspective view of the convertible garmentillustrated in FIG. 1A having fasteners in a closed position accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a convertible garment worn by awearer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the convertible garment illustratedby FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the convertible garment illustratedby FIG. 1C;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate side views of convertible garmentshaving various fastener systems according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a low angle perspective view of another convertiblegarment having a fastener in a closed position in accordance withvarious embodiments; and

FIG. 4B illustrates a low angle perspective view of the convertiblegarment illustrated by FIG. 4A having the fastener in an open positionin accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, garments worn for many forms of exercise (e.g.,running or bicycling) must fit tightly to the user's body to improveaerodynamics and prevent chafing. Similarly, garments worn as a baselayer beneath a wetsuit must fit tightly to the user's body to preventthe garment from riding up as the wetsuit is donned or as the usermaneuvers underwater. These purpose-built garments work well for theirintended uses but are often inappropriate as general wear in terms ofstyle and comfort when the user is not actively engaged in sport. Thecustomary solution to this problem is for the user to carry and changeinto a second garment when their activity is concluded, but thissolution may not be practical or possible in all cases.

Embodiments of the present invention provide convertible garments andmethods for their assembly. The garments are characterized by a systemof fasteners and fabric inserts (e.g., godets, gores, gussets, or anyother fabric insert of suitable size and shape) that allow the garmentto transform between loose-fitting and form-fitting. The convertiblenature of the garment allows the garment to be worn in a tight-fitting,special-purpose form during exercise and be adjusted to a different,looser form following completion of the exercise.

Traditionally, wetsuits have been worn by experts and amateurs alike forunderwater activities such as diving or for cold-weather watersportssuch as surfing or kiteboarding. A range of special, purpose-builtexercise gear has been available to be worn under the wetsuit includingspecialized vests, shirts, pants, shorts, and dive skins. The purpose ofthese garments is to allow the wetsuit to be donned smoothly and easilyand to provide comfort to the user during the time that the wetsuit isworn. Although these garments are highly functional, they can beexpensive and are typically characterized by being very tight-fitting onthe user. As such, these garments are inappropriate for day-to-day useoutside of the wetsuit.

In contrast to such tight fitting specialized gear, board shorts arecharacterized by a loose-fitting style, and they can comfortably be wornby the user both during and outside of water activities. Unfortunately,board shorts make a poor choice as a base layer under the wetsuitbecause they tend to wrinkle and ride up as the wetsuit is donned. Asthe user maneuvers while wearing the wetsuit, board shorts tend to buncheven further and cause the user great discomfort. With the board shortsbunched up, the exposed skin of the upper thighs may be subject to waxrash. In rare but serious cases, the bunching can be so severe thatblood flow to the leg is restricted leading to medical problemsincluding decompression sickness. The loose fit of board shorts alsoallows air bubbles to become trapped in the shorts.

In another similar type of purpose-built exercise gear, gear worn whilerunning or riding a bicycle is designed to fit tightly to the user toimprove aerodynamics, reduce chafing, and decrease billowing that canoccur with loose-fitting clothing. Unfortunately, the tight-fittingstyle of most exercise gear may not be desirable when the user is notactively engaged in the exercise activity. In addition, the tight fit ofmost exercise clothing can trap sweat and hot air against the user'sbody leading to discomfort and the potential for a rash. The typicalsolution to this problem for a bicyclist is to carry a second pair ofclothing to change into when not actively cycling. However, carryingextra clothing on a bike is undesirable due to the weight andaerodynamic drag, and a changing area may not always be available at thecyclist's destination.

As noted above, embodiments of the present invention address theseissues by providing convertible garments. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1A-1C, a convertible garment 100 may include one or more openings101 and one or more fabric inserts 103. As shown in FIG. 1B, the garmentmay include a pelvic region 108, waistband 107, and two leg regions 100a, 100 b that extend from the waistband 107. Leg regions 100 a, 100 b ofthe garment 100 may have openings 101 that can reveal fabric inserts 103beneath. The openings 101 may be closeable using fasteners 109. A firstend of an opening 101 may be proximal to a terminal end 105 of a legregion 100 a, 100 b of the garment 100. As depicted in FIG. 1B, thefasteners 109 can be placed into an open position whereby the opening101 is maximized such that a circumference of the terminal end 105 of aleg region 100 a, 100 b is increased. As depicted in FIG. 1C, thefasteners 109 can be placed into a closed position whereby the opening101 is reduced or eliminated such that a circumference of the terminalend 105 of a leg region 100 a, 100 b is reduced. In exemplaryembodiments, the terminal end 105 of a leg region 100 a, 100 b can fittightly to a leg of a user when the fastener 109 is in the closedposition and loosely to a leg of a user when the fastener is in the openposition.

A pelvic region 108 of the garment 100 may connect the waistband 107with the leg regions 100 a, 100 b. The pelvic region 108 and leg regions100 a, 100 b can provide protection for a pelvis and lower torso of auser. According to various embodiments, the pelvic region 108 maycontain one or more pockets. The pelvic region 108 may be made of anyfabric including, but not limited to, wool, silk, leather, cotton,denim, elastane, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene,polyethylene, polyester, olefin fiber, PLA fiber, or neoprene, any othersuitable material, or combinations or blends thereof.

Leg regions 100 a, 100 b of the garment 100 may have any lengthnecessary to satisfy application-specific requirements. For example invarious embodiments, the terminal end 105 of the leg regions 100 a, 100b may be situated above a knee of a user, at a knee of a user, or belowa knee of a user. In some embodiments, the leg regions 100 a, 100 b maybe extend to an ankle of a user (i.e., they may be pant-length). The legregions 100 a, 100 b of the garment 100 may include one or more pocketsthat can be located, for example but not limited to, on the front, rear,or side of the leg regions and may be located proximate to the waistbandor away from the waistband. In accordance with various embodiments,pockets may be located on the interior or exterior surfaces of thegarment and may be closeable using any of buttons, zippers, snaps, orany other suitable fastener. In accordance with various embodiments, theleg regions 100 a, 100 b may be substantially straight or may becomenarrower or more tapered at the terminal ends 105 than at the endsproximal to the waistband 107.

An opening 101 of the convertible garment 100 may be located on anyportion of a leg region 100 a, 100 b including portions of the anterior,posterior, inseam, outseam, or any portion therebetween. Thecircumference of a terminal end 105 of the leg region 100 a, 100 b isgreater when the opening 101 is in an “open” position than when it is ina “closed” position. In accordance with various embodiments, the edgesof the opening 101 may be unfinished or may be finished by hemming,overlocking, serging, or with any other suitable fabric finishingmethod. In light of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that one or more openings 101 may be located in asingle leg region 100 a, 100 b. For example, two openings 101 may belocated on a leg region 100 a, 100 b on substantially opposite sides(e.g., one to the front and one to the rear or one on the inseam and oneon the outseam), on substantially the same side (e.g., placedsymmetrically on opposite sides of the outseam), or in any otherconfiguration suitable to meet the requirements of an application. Inaccordance with various embodiments, the opening 101 can have any shapeincluding, but not limited to, a vertical slit, a T-shaped slit, or awider cutout in a range of shapes including triangle, square, or anyother suitable shape. Further, the opening 101 may be orientedsubstantially vertically (i.e., as a vertical opening) or in anydirection that meets application-specific requirements.

A fabric insert 103 of the garment 100 may be inserted into an opening101 of the garment and attached to a leg region 100 a, 100 b. The methodof attaching the fabric insert 103 to the leg region 100 a, 100 b mayinclude glue or other adhesives, stitches, heat seals, bonding, anyother suitable method of fabric joining, and any combinations thereof.The fabric insert 103 may be made in any shape or made of any materialnecessary to satisfy application-specific requirements. The fabricinsert 103 may be constructed from a number of materials including, butnot limited to, wool, silk, leather, cotton, denim, elastane, linen,polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, olefinfiber, PLA fiber, or neoprene, any other suitable material, orcombinations or blends thereof. According to various embodiments, thefabric insert 103 may have a variety of shapes including triangle,half-circle, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, a fabricinsert 103 may have a different color or be made from a different fabricthan the leg regions 100 a, 100 b of the garment 100.

In some embodiments, terminal ends 105 of the leg regions 100 a, 100 bof the garment 100 may include grips 106. Grips 106 can be constructedto have non-slip properties for causing the grips 106 to adhere to orfrictionally engage with a user's skin to prevent the terminal ends 105of leg regions 100 a, 100 b of the garment 100 from riding up when afastener 109 is in the closed position. For example, grips 106 caninclude tacky or high coefficient-of-friction “non-slip” materials or asurface texture that is rough or otherwise designed to “grab” acontacting surface. In accordance with various embodiments, the grips106 may be made of a different material than the garment 100. A grip 106may be made, for example but not limited to, from rubber, vinyl,silicone, leather, any other suitable plastics or fabrics, orcombinations thereof. A grip 106 may have a smooth surface or it mayhave a textured surface or protrusions such as nubs or ridges toincrease frictional contact between the grip and a user.

A waistband 107 of the garment 100 may be made of any material necessaryto satisfy application-specific requirements. According to variousembodiments, the waistband 107 may be constructed from a number ofmaterials including, but not limited to, wool, silk, leather, cotton,denim, elastane, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene,polyethylene, polyester, olefin fiber, PLA fiber, or neoprene, any othersuitable material, or combinations or blends thereof. The waistband 107may be a single, unbroken piece or may have a placket to allow thegarment 100 to be put on or taken off by a user more easily. Inaccordance with various embodiments, the waistband 107 may furtherinclude a device for fastening the garment 100 about a waist of a user.Waistband fastening devices can include, but are not limited to,buttons, zippers, drawstrings, elastic bands, belts, buckles, fabricties, or any other suitable fastening device. In accordance with variousembodiments, an area of the garment 100 near the waistband 107 mayinclude a fly to conceal the fastening device. According to variousembodiments, the waistband 107 may include belt loops.

A fastener 109 can be used to releasably close an opening 101 of thegarment 100 (i.e., to transform an opening 101 of the garment 100 froman open to a closed position). In accordance with various embodiments,the opening 101 of the garment 100 can have fasteners 109 includingportions of a zipper extending on opposing sides of the opening as shownin FIGS. 2A-2C. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, the zipperclosure may be at the end of the opening 101 proximal to the waistband107 when the garment 100 is in the open position and proximal to theterminal end 105 of the leg portion 100 a, 100 b in the closed position.In an alternate embodiment, the zipper closure may be at the end of theopening 101 proximal to the terminal end 105 of the leg portion 100 a,100 b in the open position and proximal to the waistband 107 in theclosed position (i.e., the zipper closure may mimic the closure of ajacket). In light of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the fastener 109 may be located on the interior orexterior of the garment 100.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, fasteners 109 suitable for releasablyclosing the opening 101 of the garment 100 between open and closedpositions can be any of a number of systems. In one embodiment depictedin FIG. 3A, the fastener 109 may include hook-and-loop fastener elements301 such as those produced by Velcro Industries (Manchester, N.H.) thatline the outer edges of the opening 101. In another embodiment depictedin FIG. 3B, the fastener 109 may include snap closures 303 that line theouter edges of the opening 101. In accordance with an embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3C, the fastener 109 may include belt-and-buckleclosures 305 wherein belts line one outer edge of the opening andbuckles line the opposite outer edge of the opening to receive andsecure the belts. As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3D, thefastener 109 may include a plurality of eyelets 307 that extend downboth outer sides of the opening 101 and one or more laces 309 that passthrough at least some of the plurality of eyelets 307. The laces 309 canbe tied to secure the opening 101 in a closed position. In accordancewith various embodiments, the plurality of eyelets 307 may include holesthrough the fabric or may define raised fabric loops through which thelaces 309 can pass. For clarity, all of the fasteners 109 shown hereinare on the exterior surface of the garment 100, but it will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of this disclosure,the fasteners 109 may be located on either the interior or exteriorsurface of the garment 100. It will be further apparent in view of thisdisclosure that the fastener configurations illustrated herein are notexhaustive and that other suitable fastening devices or systems arewithin the scope of the present invention.

In alternate embodiments, the openings in the convertible garment of thepresent invention may be in locations other than those depicted in FIGS.1A-1C. For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a convertiblegarment 400 may include one or more openings 401 and one or more fabricinserts 403 that are not located on the outseams of the leg regions. Asshown in FIG. 4A, the garment 400 may include a waistband 407 and one ormore leg regions 400 a, 400 b that extend from the waistband 407. Theleg openings can have terminal ends 405 a, 405 b opposite to thewaistband. In accordance with various embodiments, an opening 401 in thegarment 400 may pass between a first terminal end 405 a on a first legregion 400 a and a second terminal end 405 b on a second leg region 400b of the garment. The opening may be closeable using a fastener 409. Asdepicted in FIG. 4A, the fastener 409 can be placed into a closedposition whereby the exposure of the opening is reduced or eliminatedsuch that a circumference of the terminal ends 405 a, 405 b of the legregions 400 a, 400 b is reduced. In exemplary embodiments, the terminalends 405 a, 405 b of the leg regions 400 a, 400 b can fit tightly to aleg of a user when the fastener 409 is in the closed position.

A pelvic region 408 of the garment 400 may connect the waistband 407with the leg regions 400 a, 400 b. The pelvic region 408 can provideprotection for a pelvis and lower torso of a user. According to variousembodiments, the pelvic region 408 may contain one or more pockets. Thepelvic region 408 and leg regions 400 a, 400 b may be made of any fabricincluding, but not limited to, wool, silk, leather, cotton, denim,elastane, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyethylene,polyester, olefin fiber, PLA fiber, or neoprene, any other suitablematerial, or combinations or blends thereof.

The leg regions 400 a, 400 b of the garment 400 may have any lengthnecessary to satisfy application-specific requirements. For example andaccording to various embodiments, a terminal end 405 a, 405 b of a legregion 400 a, 400 b may be situated above a knee of a user, at a knee ofa user, or below a knee of a user. In some embodiments, the leg regions400 a, 400 b may be extend to an ankle of a user (i.e., they may bepant-length). The leg regions 400 a, 400 b of the garment 400 mayinclude one or more pockets that can be located, for example but notlimited to, on the front, rear, or side of the leg regions and may belocated proximate to the waistband or away from the waistband. Inaccordance with various embodiments, pockets may be located on theinterior or exterior surfaces of the garment and may be closeable usingany of buttons, zippers, snaps, or any other suitable fastener. Inaccordance with various embodiments, the leg regions 400 a, 400 b may besubstantially straight or may become narrower or more tapered at theterminal ends 405 a, 405 b than at the ends proximal to the waistband407.

An opening 401 of the convertible garment 400 may be located on anyportion of a leg region 400 a, 400 b including portions of the anterior,posterior, inseam, outseam, or any portion therebetween. Thecircumference of a terminal end 405 a, 405 b of the leg region 400 a,400 b can be greater when the opening 401 is in an “open” position thanwhen it is in a “closed” position. In accordance with variousembodiments, a terminal end 405 a, 405 b of a leg region 400 a, 400 bfits tightly around a leg of a user when the opening 401 is in a“closed” position. In accordance with various embodiments, a terminalend 405 a, 405 b of a leg region 400 a, 400 b can fit loosely around aleg of a user when the opening 401 is in an “open” position. In light ofthis disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that anopening 401 does not need to be located along the midline between theanterior and posterior sides of the garment 400 but may be positionedalong any path that ultimately connects a first terminal opening 405 aand a second terminal opening 405 b. In accordance with variousembodiments, the edges of the opening 401 may be unfinished or may befinished by hemming, overlocking, serging, or with any other suitablefabric finishing method. In light of the present disclosure, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that one or more openings 401 maybe located in a leg region 400 a, 400 b. For example, two openings 401may be located on a garment 400 on substantially opposite sides (e.g.,one to the front and one to the rear), on substantially the same side(e.g., placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the inseam), or in anyother configuration suitable to meet the requirements of an application.In accordance with various embodiments, the opening 401 can have anyshape including, but not limited to, a vertical slit or a wider cutoutin a range of shapes including triangle, square, or any other suitableshape.

A fabric insert 403 of the garment 400 may be inserted into an opening401 of the garment and attached to a leg region 400 a, 400 b. The methodof attaching the fabric insert 403 to the leg region 400 a, 400 b mayinclude glue or other adhesives, stitches, heat seals, bonding, anyother suitable method of fabric joining, and any combinations thereof.The fabric insert 403 may be made in any shape or made of any materialnecessary to satisfy application-specific requirements. As discussedpreviously herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, thefabric insert 403 may be constructed of a number of different types ofmaterial. According to various embodiments, the fabric insert 403 mayhave a variety of shapes including triangle, half-circle, rectangle, orany other suitable shape. In some embodiments, a fabric insert 403 mayhave a different color or be made from a different fabric than the legregions 400 a, 400 b of the garment 400.

In some embodiments, terminal ends 405 a, 405 b of the leg regions 400a, 400 b of the garment 400 may include grips 406. Grips 406 can beconstructed to have non-slip properties for causing the grips 406 toadhere to or frictionally engage with a user's skin to prevent theterminal ends 405 a, 405 b of leg regions 400 a, 400 b of the garment400 from riding up when a fastener 409 is in the closed position. Forexample, grips 406 can include tacky or high coefficient-of-friction“non-slip” materials or a surface texture that is rough or otherwisedesigned to “grab” a contacting surface. In accordance with variousembodiments, the grip 406 may be made of a different material than thegarment 400. A grip 406 may be made, for example but not limited to,from rubber, vinyl, silicone, leather, or any other suitable plastics orfabrics. A grip 406 may have a smooth surface or it may have a texturedsurface or protrusions such as nubs or ridges to increase frictionalcontact between the grip and a user.

A waistband 407 of the garment 400 may be made of any material necessaryto satisfy application-specific requirements. According to variousembodiments, the waistband 407 may be constructed from a number ofmaterials including, but not limited to, elastic, nylon, cotton,spandex, elastane, linen, polyester, any other suitable material, orcombinations or blends thereof. The waistband 407 may be a single,unbroken piece or may have a placket to allow the garment 400 to be puton or taken off by a user more easily. In accordance with variousembodiments, the waistband 407 may further include a device forfastening the garment 400 about a waist of a user. Waistband fasteningdevices can include, but are not limited to, buttons, zippers,drawstrings, elastic bands, belts, buckles, fabric ties, or any othersuitable fastening device. In embodiments that feature waistbandfastening devices, an area of the garment 400 near the waistband 407 mayinclude a fly to conceal the fastening device. According to variousembodiments, the waistband 407 may include belt loops.

A fastener 409 can be used to releasably close an opening 401 of thegarment 400 (i.e., to transform an opening 401 of the garment 400 froman open to a closed position). In accordance with various embodiments,the opening 401 of the garment 400 can have a fastener 409 that includesportions of a zipper extending on opposing sides of the opening as shownin FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B, thezipper closure may be at the end of the opening 401 proximal to a secondterminal end 405 b of leg portion 400 b when the garment 400 is in theopen position and proximal to a first terminal end 405 a of the legportion 400 a when the garment 400 is in the closed position. In lightof the present disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe fastener 409 may be located on the interior or exterior of thegarment 400. In certain embodiments, the garment 400 may employ twozipper closures as fasteners 409 along the same opening 401. It will beapparent in view of this disclosure that, although described as azipper, the fastener 409 can be any suitable fastening device or systemsuitable for releasably closing opening 401. For example, the fastener409 may be as shown and described above in the embodiments of FIG. 3A-D.

In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is used forthe sake of clarity. For purposes of description, each specific term isintended to at least include all technical and functional equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.Additionally, in some instances where a particular exemplary embodimentincludes a plurality of system elements, device components or methodsteps, those elements, components or steps may be replaced with a singleelement, component or step. Likewise, a single element, component orstep may be replaced with a plurality of elements, components or stepsthat serve the same purpose. Moreover, while exemplary embodiments havebeen shown and described with references to particular embodimentsthereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that varioussubstitutions and alterations in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention. Further still, otheraspects, functions and advantages are also within the scope of theinvention.

Exemplary flowcharts are provided herein for illustrative purposes andare non-limiting examples of methods. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that exemplary methods may include more or fewer stepsthan those illustrated in the exemplary flowcharts, and that the stepsin the exemplary flowcharts may be performed in a different order thanthe order shown in the illustrative flowcharts.

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible garment comprising: a pelvic regionfor covering a pelvic area of a wearer, the pelvic region defining awaistband for extending around a waist of the wearer; a first leg regionextending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portionof a first leg of the wearer, the first leg region having a firstterminal end opposite the waistband; a first vertical opening defined inthe first leg region and extending from the first terminal end towardthe waistband along at least a partial length of the first leg region,the first leg region including a first fastener adapted to releasablyclose the first vertical opening; a first fabric insert attached to thefirst leg region and positioned within the first vertical opening; asecond leg region extending outward from the pelvic region for coveringat least a portion of a second leg of the wearer, the second leg regionhaving a second terminal end opposite the waistband; a second verticalopening defined in the second leg region and extending from the secondterminal end toward the waistband along at least a partial length of thesecond leg region, the second leg region including a second fasteneradapted to releasably close the second vertical opening; and a secondfabric insert attached to the second leg region and positioned withinthe second vertical opening.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein acircumference of the first terminal end is greater when the firstfastener of the first vertical opening is in an open position than whenit is in a closed position and a circumference of the second terminalend is greater when the second fastener of the second vertical openingis in an open position than when it is in a closed position.
 3. Thegarment of claim 2, wherein, upon a release of the first fastener, acircumference of the first terminal end is expanded by the first fabricinsert and, upon a release of the second fastener, a circumference ofthe second terminal end is expanded by the second fabric insert.
 4. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the first and second fabric inserts are madeof a second fabric that is different than a first fabric of the firstand second leg regions.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond fasteners include at least one of a zipper, a button, a snap, ahook and loop fastener, or lacing.
 6. The garment of claim 1, furthercomprising a non-slip material disposed along an interior surface of thefirst and second terminal ends.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second fasteners are located on the exterior of the garment.8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband comprises at least oneof an elastic band, a button, a zipper, a belt, a buckle, a fabric tie,or a drawstring.
 9. The garment of claim 4, wherein the second fabric ofthe first and second inserts comprises at least one of wool, silk,leather, cotton, denim, elastane, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon,polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, olefin fiber, PLA fiber, orneoprene.
 10. A convertible garment comprising: a pelvic region forcovering a pelvic area of a wearer, the pelvic region defining awaistband for extending around a waist of the wearer; a first leg regionextending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portionof a first leg of the wearer, the first leg region having a firstterminal end opposite the waistband; a second leg region extendingoutward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portion of asecond leg of the wearer, the second leg region having a second terminalend opposite the waistband; an opening defined in the first and secondleg regions and extending between the first terminal end of the firstleg region and the second terminal end of the second leg region; afastener adapted to releasably close the opening; and a fabric insertattached to the first leg region and the second leg region andpositioned within the opening.
 11. The garment of claim 10, wherein acircumference of the first terminal end and a circumference of a secondterminal end are both greater when the fastener is in an open positionthan when it is in a closed position.
 12. The garment of claim 11,wherein, upon release of the fastener, a circumference of the firstterminal end and a circumference of the second terminal end are expandedby the fabric insert.
 13. The garment of claim 10, wherein the first andsecond fabric inserts are made of a second fabric that is different thana first fabric of the first and second leg regions.